Be in My Video

"Be In My Video," from Frank Zappa’s 1984 album Them or Us, is a sharp satire of the early MTV era, poking fun at the clichés of music videos, particularly David Bowie’s “Let’s Dance.” Zappa, in a 1984 BBC Radio 1 interview with Andy Batten-Foster, described the song as a commentary on the absurdity of lip-syncing and over-the-top video production, calling out the “playbacking” culture where artists mimed to pre-recorded tracks. The song’s lyrics mock the glamorous, shallow visuals of the time, with lines like “We’re gonna have a bunch of girls / With leather round their necks.” Zappa’s disdain for MTV’s influence extended to his belief that it propped up artists based on looks rather than talent, a sentiment echoed in a Reddit thread on r/ObscureMedia where fans noted his reluctance to embrace music videos himself. Interestingly, the track features backing vocals by Ike Willis, Ray White, and Napoleon Murphy Brock, showcasing Zappa’s knack for assembling tight, versatile ensembles to deliver his biting humor.

The song’s production blends live recordings with studio overdubs, a common Zappa technique during this period, though he didn’t disclose this in the album notes, as mentioned on Wikipedia. Another tidbit comes from TV Tropes, which highlights how “Be In My Video” fits into Zappa’s broader critique of cultural trends, much like his other tracks on Them or Us that tackle everything from French stereotypes to religious hypocrisy. Fans on the alt.fan.frank-zappa newsgroup have speculated about the song’s playful jabs at Bowie, noting Zappa’s competitive streak with contemporaries, though Bowie himself remained a fan, as evidenced by his decision to reissue music on CD following Zappa’s lead. This track, often called the album’s standout, captures Zappa’s ability to blend musical virtuosity with social commentary, making it a favorite among Zoo Freaks spinning it at THE ZOO.

Frank Zappa, born December 21, 1940, in Baltimore, Maryland, began his musical journey as a self-taught composer and performer, influenced by avant-garde composers like Edgard Varèse and 1950s blues and R&B artists, according to Britannica. As a teenager, he developed a love for orchestral music and modern jazz, picking up the guitar and drums in his early teens. His first band, the Blackouts, formed in high school, but he was famously kicked out for playing the cymbals too much, as noted on TV Tropes. By the early 1960s, Zappa was writing and producing music in California, working on low-budget film scores and running a recording studio. His big break came with the formation of The Mothers of Invention in 1964, whose debut album Freak Out! (1966) became a pioneering concept album, influencing the likes of The Beatles. Zappa’s eclectic style, blending rock, jazz, and classical, grew from his diverse influences and his distrust of mainstream trends, which he often lampooned in his work.

Zappa’s career spanned over 30 years, producing more than 60 albums, many with The Mothers of Invention or as a solo artist, as detailed on Wikipedia. His relentless work ethic and commitment to artistic freedom made him a cultural icon, though he never chased mainstream success, as he told Rolling Stone in 1994. Fans can explore his legacy through the official website www.zappa.com, managed by the Zappa Family Trust, which offers discographies and archival releases. Social media presence includes the official Frank Zappa Facebook page, Instagram account, and X account, where updates on reissues and tributes are shared. Fan communities thrive on sites like Zappa Wiki Jawaka and the r/Zappa subreddit, while Facebook groups like Frank Zappa Fans connect Zoo Freaks worldwide, sharing trivia and rare recordings.